Jackson takes Historic race two comeback win after Rowe clash

Cameron Jackson completed a comeback drive with victory in the second HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship race at Cadwell Park, despite being involved in a heavy accident with Nelson Rowe.

Race one winner Rowe had started from pole but was passed by second and third place drivers Jackson and Richard Tarling very early.

Rowe and Jackson were then involved in a very physical battle when Jackson’s car slipped out of gear and slowed. Rowe’s Crossle mounted Jackson’s Lola, flipped over hard and caught fire.

A passing Callum Grant spun, but then stopped and ran back along the track to check on Rowe, who walked away from the incident but underwent precautionary checks.

The ensuing red flag caused a lengthy delay before the restart, during which time Jackson made his way back around and took his place on the grid, as the field lined-up in race order.

When racing resumed, Jackson and Tarling pushed each other hard, swapping for first place until the throttle on Tarling’s Jamun stuck open on the penultimate lap, forcing him to retire. Grant inherited Tarling’s second place, although he was some way behind.

Ed Thurston was a surprising third, starting fifteenth after winning the second qualification race. Thurston himself could scarcely believe his ascendance to fourth place before the halfway mark. Max Bartell’s Merlyn then expired, handing him a podium finish.

Matthew Wrigley and Benn Simms helped make Thurston’s position safer, as both retired mid-race. Simms’s car gave up in a cloud of smoke, while Wrigley spun out.

Thurston did come under attack from Ben Mitchell, who would likely have reeled him in had the race run for its full 20 minutes, but instead had to settle for fourth place. Mitchell spun shortly after the restart before impressively pushing his way back up the field.

A frenetic start slowed in the latter half of the race due to oil on the Gooseneck, new championship leader Jackson describing the oily track as being “like ice”.